The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is targeting to bid out the operation and maintenance of the EDSA Busway project by next year.
Timothy John Batan, DOTr undersecretary for planning, recently told reporters the department is finalizing the feasibility study for the EDSA Busway after which it will be submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for approval in the next few months.
“When we get approvals and then we’ll eventually bid it out. So, those are our next steps for EDSA Busway,” Batan said.
The DOTr is projecting a timeline similar with the Ninoy Aquino International Airport bidding, which was approved in July last year and the contract was signed this month – the fastest public-private partnership proposal approved in the country.
“Yes, that is our target,” Batan said when asked if the project will be up for bidding in a year or by next year.
The feasibility study will determine if single operator for the entire project (for both the buses and the busway) or two separate operators will be appointed.
The DOTr recently conducted a market sounding on the project to get feedback from potential bidders which include bus operators, bus manufacturers and contractors, among others.
“We also included in our market sounding the potential funding partners, the banks and other financial institutions. So, that is the usual makeup and composition,” Batan added.
The EDSA Busway has 21 stations for pickup and drop-off points from Monumento to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.
DOTr launched the EDSA Busway Project in June 2020 to provide seamless travel for commuters. The project has reduced the end-to-end travel time on EDSA from three hours to one and a half hours.
Recently, through a partnership with SM Prime Holdings Inc., construction of the EDSA Busway concourse in Ortigas has started and is slated to be completed this July.
Other sites will be constructed by D.M. Wenceslao and Associates Inc. for the Aseana EDSA Busway Station, while Double Dragon Corp. will construct the Macapagal EDSA Busway Station, the DOTr said.
The EDSA Busway Bridge with Concourse aims to provide safe, accessible, convenient and person with disability-friendly walkways for commuters and pedestrians approaching the EDSA Busway stations and crossing EDSA from one side to another.
